YVR_cruise_lover
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Posts posted by YVR_cruise_lover
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We have 3 full days in Auckland next February before our cruise, and are thinking of joining an organized day trip to Waitomo Caves and Rotorua. Preliminary research indicates it will be a long day tour with lots of travel. Has anybody done a tour like this before? Any recommendation and cost would be appreciated.
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Ha Long Bay
in Asia
If you've been docked at Ha Long Bay before, can you tell me if it's better to book a private junk trip beforehand or just get off the ship and book a trip from someone on shore on the day?I'd rather not use the ship's tour so I'd like to hear people's experiences of DIY and I'd also welcome tour guide recommendations.
Many thanks in advance.
Just got back from Halong Bay last December. If you find enough people, you can hire a private boat for a longer cruise of the Bay, and cheaper than the ship excursion. The more people you can find, the cheaper the price. Just take the tender to shore, and try to negotiate for the best price. The person we used was Mike, and each of us paid US$30 for a 6 hour cruise for a group of 22 people. It was a wonderful cruise! Not to be missed.
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We have just returned from a South East Asia cruise on Celebrity Millennium. The following is a brief review:
We normally planned our own excursions. But as each of us had $500 on-board credit, we joined a few ship excursions to use up the credit.
Singapore – Day 1: Very tired after the long flight. Went to downtown and China Town taking public train after a late lunch. The train station was about 20 minute walk from the pier. Took taxi back to the pier. Day 2: Again took public train to see the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay. All within walking distance of one another. Not enough time to see all the places in detail.
Bangkok – Day 1: Four of us hired a taxi to Pattaya for the entire day for about US$120. Went to Nong Nooch Garden, Pattaya Floating Market, and Sanctuary of Truth. IMHO, the last two locations were not worth the time and money. Finally saw the Cabaret show by trans-gender performers in the evening. If you haven’t seen something like this before, it was kind of entertaining. Day 2: Took the ship excursion Grand Palace and Venice of East. The Grand Palace was quite pretty, but way too crowded to fully enjoy it.
Ho Chi Minh City – Took the ship excursion Saigon on your Own. Visited Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and Opera House. All within walking distance. Took a taxi to China Town. Quite disappointed as it was more like a wholesale market of different kinds of goods.
Hue/Danang – Cancelled due to rough sea. Was planning to take the ship excursion Hoi An on your Own.
Halong Bay – Day 1: Took the ship excursion Halong Bay by Boat. A very pleasant trip. Day 2: We rounded up 22 fellow cruisers and hired a private boat for a longer 6 hours cruise. Each paid US$30. It was a more extensive cruise than day 1, and went to different places. It was totally worth it, and was the highlight of the entire cruise. Definitely not to be missed. Did not go to Hanoi as it was a 3 hour drive each way.
Hong Kong – There were free shuttle buses to 3 different malls from the port, with access to MTR. So you can go wherever you like. We are originally from HK, and have been there many times.
I have posted a few pictures at the following link:
Please email me at cwk6888@gmail.com if you have any question. I will try my best to answer.
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Just returned from Celebrity Millennium. The ship charged US$20 for Vietnam visa, and was deducted automatically from the shipboard account.
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WestJet's Walt Disney-themed "Magic Plane" landing yesterday at Vancouver
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There is something fascinating about the wake. You look at the pretty waves and swirls, then your mind wanders to odd places filled with questions about horsepower, fuel consumption, maximum range....well, mine does anyway!:D
Celebrity Reflection
Dave
Very nice! A cool shot.
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Very good.
What ship -- do you know?
I believe it was a Holland America ship as we saw one cruising in Glacier Bay earlier in the same day. Not 100% though.
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Was Reflection berthed at the new terminal? We are there in Sept on the Silhouette, prob same berth? Hoping it will be easy to locate our driver for private tour.
Yes Celebrity Reflection was berthed at the new terminal. You would think that the local drivers should know where the new terminal is located.
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Sunset in Alaska. Note the cruise ship in the background.
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I was on Celebrity Reflection a month ago, and took a few pictures of the Athens cruise terminal. Just give you an idea of what the terminal looks like. Sorry I cannot help on any transportation question.
Picture of the cruise terminal
Celebrity Reflection pulling out from the berth looking back at the port (berthed at the very end)
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Near Kalafatis Beach in Mykonos Greece
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Approaching Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver on a clear morning aboard Coral Princess in 2012
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Auckland Day Trip to Waitomo Caves and Rotorua
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Posted
Has anybody used the tour company bookme.co.nz in Auckland? The price there seems to be lower than either Viator or Gray Line.